Archives › 2006 › August
Prenatal CVS Has Same Risk as Amniocentesis, Study Shows
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), a test for birth defects, carries the same risk as the more commonly used amniocentesis, a new study has shown. Doctors previously thought its risk to be greater. Women can undergo CVS about six weeks earlier than amniocentesis, at 10 to 12 weeks gestation, so these findings, if confirmed, will be [...]
FamilyRoutes: New Online Community for Families
FamilyRoutes is a new online community for families offering free, unlimited blogging and photo sharing as well as a host of other great features. Samantha Fein, one of the founders (and a mom herself), explains the company’s vision: “Each of us has many dimensions, not just parenthood or our work life. This service is about [...]
Teen Career Plans Often Unrealistic, Study Finds
Having a pre-schooler, I don’t write about teens as often as perhaps I should. Here’s one item, however, that caught my eye: A long-term study of high school seniors’ educational and occupational plans found a widening gap between goals and actual achievements. Ambition can be good for some, the researchers say, but can also lead [...]
Hurrican Katrina Remembrance: LGBT Perspectives
Today is the National Day of Remembrance of Hurricane Katrina. Despite an outpouring of public support last year (in the face of what most agree were monumental government snafus), many Gulf Coast residents are still struggling to rebuild their lives. For stories of how LGBT residents of New Orleans are doing so, take a look [...]
Study Sheds Light on Premature Births, While Another Raises Questions About Treatment
Last week, researchers announced the discovery of a genetic variant that may help identify women at higher risk of having premature births. This would allow doctors to take appropriate measures to minimize the risk. The scientists also found that African-American babies were three times more likely than those of European descent to carry this genetic [...]
Billie Jean King to Be Honored at National Tennis Center Tonight
Tonight, USA Network will broadcast live the ceremony to rename the National Tennis Center after Billie Jean King. The event will be hosted by CBS commentator Mary Carillo, who was honored at this year’s Gay Games “for her honest portrayal of GLBT athletes.” If your kids are old enough to understand, watch the ceremony with [...]
Patricia Todd Wins in Alabama
A quick follow up to one item from last Friday’s Weekly Political Roundup: The Alabama Democratic Party reinstated out lesbian Patricia Todd as its candidate for the state legislature, after disqualifying both her and her opponent for failing to file election forms in time. This means Todd will almost certainly become the first out legislator [...]
Women’s Equality Day
It’s Women’s Equality Day, marking the ratification of the U. S. Constitution’s 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Don’t forget to exercise that right this fall. Still a lot of other inequalities to work on . . . .
Weekly Political Roundup
A lengthy roundup this week, so I’ll put most of it after the jump. Read on for news about Alabama, Arizona, California, and Washington, as well as Australia, Canada, South Africa, and Sweden.
FDA Approves Non-Prescription Morning-After Pills for Women, Not Girls
The U. S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved over-the-counter purchase of the Plan B emergency- contraception pill for women 18 and older, and men purchasing for their partners. Girls 17 and under will still need prescriptions. Because of its dual status, Plan B will only be available at licensed pharmacies. (Nine states, however (Alaska, [...]
The Lesbian-Mom Vote
A public-service announcement for my U. S. readers: Primary elections are upon us. If you’re not registered to vote, do so online now. Mid-term elections never seem as exciting as presidential-year ones, but with the congressional majority hanging in the balance, these are as crucial as any. (In the Senate, Democrats need six seats for [...]
Back to School, Part II
Yesterday I highlighted some LGBT-specific resources on school-related topics. As a complement to that, here’s a more general resource for any parent with school-age children. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a list of Back to School Tips about Making the First Day Easier, Backpack Safety, Traveling to and from School, Eating During the School [...]
Elmo Tells All
Well, not exactly. But the man behind Elmo, Kevin Clash, has an upcoming book, My Life as a Furry Red Monster, in which he describes his life as the animating spirit behind one of Sesame Street’s most beloved characters. Clash, who is six feet tall and African American, is physically a far cry from his [...]
Back-to-School Special: School Resources for LGBT Parents
Many of us are busy this week buying new lunchboxes, pencils, sneakers, and knapsacks for our school-bound broods. Equally helpful may be some of these school-related resources for LGBT parents. (You can also find most of these links, along with other good stuff, in my resource directory): Building inclusion and understanding: Opening Doors: Lesbian and [...]
All Aboard!, by Mary Lyn Ray, is a nice book discovery for the pre- and elementary-school set. You probably won’t find it on the promotional displays at your local bookstore, though, since it was published back in 2002. Not just another train story, it will appeal also to any child who has a favorite stuffed [...]
LGBT Diversity on Television
According to a new study by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), LGBT characters will form only 1.3% of all series regular characters on the six major broadcast networks’ 2006-07 schedules. Out of an announced total of 679 series regular lead or supporting characters, GLAAD found only nine scripted (i.e., not “reality” TV) [...]
Online Fitness Aids
If you’ve been watching Workout, the WNBA playoffs, or, heaven help us, pre-season football, and are inspired to get in better shape yourself, you may like some of these online resources:
Homemade Cat Trees and Dog Treats
I’ll take a weekend break from writing about our real children to pay homage to our furry companions. For all you dykes with cats and toolboxes, here’s how to build your own cat tree. (From PandE Cats via Lifehacker.) The instructions are a little sketchy, and some additional pictures would help, but if you have [...]
Weekly Political Roundup
In federal news, the Pension Protection Act signed into law by President Bush includes two provisions extending important financial protections to same-sex couples as well as other Americans. Across the U. S., LGBT activists have begun a “Right to Serve” campaign, trying to enlist at military recruiting offices and staging sit-ins if they are rejected. [...]
Same-Sex Marriage and Heavenly Bodies
I was going to write a short post about the definition of “planet” recently proposed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). I thought some moms would find it useful when helping their children with science homework. Geoffrey Pullam’s post at Language Log on “Gay Marriage and Counting the Planets” made me realize I was thinking [...]
Martina to Be Inducted into U. S. Open Court of Champions
Martina Navratilova will be inducted into the U. S. Open Court of Champions on September 10, PlanetOut reports. She will retire after this year’s tournament, but not before playing doubles and mixed doubles in the regular matches, and possibly singles in the new Champions Invitational for former Grand Slam finalists. In related news, the U. S. [...]
Thanks to HRC for this hot-off-the-presses news: The federal Pension Protection Act signed into law today by President Bush includes two provisions extending important financial protections to same-sex couples as well as other Americans. HRC explains: The first provision, called “Non-Spousal Rollover”: Allows the transfer of an individual’s retirement plan benefits, like a 401(k), to [...]
WNBA Playoffs Begin
The tenth WNBA playoffs begin today with the Houston Comets hosting the Sacramento Monarchs and the Detroit Fever hosting the Indiana Shock. The Seattle Storm and the LA Sparks, as well as the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics, square up on Friday. The official WNBA site has all the schedules, stats, and interviews you [...]
Family Portrayal
While on vacation last week, I saw a sign at the airport for a “Family Restroom.” It was a private room, not a stall, with sink and changing table included. Nice idea. The sign, however, was clearly meant to portray an opposite-sex couple and their children. (My later reconstruction to the right; at the time, [...]
Notes from Vacation
We’re back from our trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, the second of what promise to be yearly excursions to national parks with our extended families. I don’t want this to be a “what I did on my summer vacation” essay, though, so I’ll constrain myself to a few observations that may be of [...]
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